Quiet your mind, revive your soul and pour passion into your pen while exploring the rich tapestry of Glacier National Park. Spend a day surrounded by glorious splendor as you learn nature journaling techniques and fun exercises to stimulate and deepen your connection to the natural world.

Join Glacier Institute Instructor Jerda Smeltzer In the McDonald Creek valley for a day in quiet discover. Jerda earned her M.S. in Geology, with a focus on hydrogeology, geochemistry and microbiology from the University of Montana. She is a geologist, outdoor educator, naturalist and photographer currently working in the Rockies and Olympics. She has created Ancestral Voice Photography and her work has been exhibited in galleries across the west, featured in numerous publications including Montana Magazine, the Denver Post, Aussie Times and the Seattle Times and is highlighted on dozens of websites.

Meeting Place: Glacier Park Field Camp Meeting Hall (see campus map).

Food: Please bring a sack lunch as we will most likely eat in the field.

Equipment: Please see basic gear list.
• Field journal of your choice (a blank one or a journal in progress is fine); some or all pages should be unlined.
• Favorite writing and drawing tools- must include black pen with permanent ink, such as a “Uniball Deluxe Micro”, which is available at any office supply store, eraser, soft (#2) pencil or other drawing pencils
• Favorite field guides
• Small foam pad or portable camp stool to sit on, if you wish
• Binoculars and/or hand lens to enhance observation skills-we have loaners if you need them
• Warm and waterproof clothing for sitting and exploring the wilds of Glacier

Physical Requirements: We will be taking short on and off trail hikes sometimes through brushy terrain and over rocks so be prepared with sturdy walking/hiking shoes.

Transportation during the course: We will travel by Glacier Institute van.

Weather: This course will not be cancelled due to weather.

Recommended Reading:
A Trail Through Leaves. Hannah Hinchman, Peregrine Smith Books, 1989.
A Sand County Almanac. Aldo Leopold, Ballantine Books, 1991.
Opposite Contraries: The Unknown Journals of Emily Carr, Susan Crean Douglas & MacIntyre, 2003.

Tentative Itinerary: Itinerary is subject to change due to weather, trail closures, etc.
8:00 – 8:15 Introductions and Orientation
8:15 – 10:00 The basics of nature journaling and sharing of participant goals.
10:00 – 10:15 Short break.
10:15 – 11:30 Beginning activities to connect to place
11:30 – 1:30 Travel deeper into the park for lunch, solo sit and journaling activity.
1:30 - 5:00 Continuing journaling activities along upper MacDonald Creek, Avalanche Valley or Logan Pass

The Glacier Institute

Easy

18+

July 18, 2010

$65